Apparatus for painting walls



Feb. 27, 1951 s. P. CHAPPEN APPARATUS FOR PAINTING WALLS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 2?, 1951 CHAPPEN 2,543,436

APPARATUS FOR PAINTING WALLS Filed March 28, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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5 TE PHE NI? GHA PPE N INVENTOR.

Feb. 27, A951 5, CHAPPEN 2,543,436

APPARATUS FOR PAINTING WALLS Patented Feb. 27, 1951 APPARATUS F03 PAINTING WALLS Stephen P. Chappen, @arbondale, Fa, assignor to Universal Surface Machines, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 28, 1947, Serial No. 737,841

i Qlaims. 1

My invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying paint and more particularly to a method and apparatus for painting ships, buildings and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for painting exterior and interior surfaces of ships, buildings and the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved. painting apparatus wherein the paint applicator is adapted to be automatically moved vertically and transversely of the surface to be painted.

Yet another object of my invent on is to provide painting apparatus having improved means for automatically projecting the paint applicator support a predeterm ncd distance vertically of the surface to be painted when the applicator reaches the limit of its travel transversely of said surface.

Still another object of my invention is to provide painting apparatus constructed and arranged whereby the exterior hull portions of a ship, including bow and stern, may he painted while the ship is afioat.

A urther object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus for painting sh ps, buildings, and the like, designed to eliminate the necessity of using scafifolds, stagings, ladders, or similar temporary painters support devices.

A still further object of my invention is to provide improved apparatus for painting ships wherein the paint applicator assembly is slidably mounted upon. its support, the applicator being adapted to move in a plane perpendicular to the support.

With these and other objects in view, which may incident to my improvements, the invention conssts in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangements, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In. order to make my invention more clearly understood, 1. have shown in the accompanying drawing means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose or expianation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings: Figure l is an elevational view or the trackway and carriage arrangement used to support the paint applicator in desired position for applying paint to a ship.

Fig. 2 is an elevational View of a modified form of device adapted for painting buildings, silos and the like.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bracket or clamp used to support the trackway on the rail of a ship.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the arrangement for raising the paint applicator support.

Fig. 5 is a detail View of the trip mechanism and feed device used to advance the applicator support sections to operative supporting position.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one end of an applicator support section- Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the paint applicator assembly.

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing a trip device and associated mechanism for projecting the applicator support when the carriage reaches the limit of its travel, lengthwise of the trackway.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the telescopic support arrangement used with the modificabe horizontally supported in spaced relationship with respect to the surface to be painted, a carriage movable lengthwise of the trackway, an extensible support arrangement for a paint applicator mounted upon the carriage, means to move the carriage transversely of the trackway, and means to automatically project the applicator assembly support a predetermined distance vertically of the surface to he painted, when the carriage reaches the end of its travel lengthwise of its trackway. of the apparatus, the trackway is adapted to be supported from the rail of a ship and the extensible support means for the applicator assembly comprises a plurality of unit sections adapted to be moved to operative supporting position. and extended a predetermined distance In the preferred form vertically of the hull of the ship, when the carriage reaches the end of its tra el fore and aft. The applicator asse?"-i y slidably mounted at the end of the extens' we support means, is adapted to move in a nlane perpendicular to the plane of th: extens'ble support.

W en the carriage is moved lengthwise of the trackway, paint is applied to the hull of the ship in the form of a comparatively narrow band or strip. and after the carriage re c es the l mit of its travel, fore or aft. the ap licator assembly sup ort is nroiected a predetermined distance less than the width of th applied band o paint, whereby paint is a lied in successive overlapping strips as the carriage moves alon the trackway. When it is desired to pa nt the hull and stern surfaces, the a plicator is maintained a onstant distance rom the curv d surfaces t er of through the m dium the slidable conn ction betwe n the ap icator and its su port at the end of the extensible member.

In the modified form of apparatus, for u e in connection with the painting of silos. build ngs and the l ke. the trackway together with the movable carriage and associated paint ap licator is mounted upon telescopic tvpe s p ort wherebv the trackway may be mov d vertically o t e wall of buil ing 01- other surface to be inted.

The de ice of the present invention may be used to paint a ships hull when underway at sea, at anchor. moored to a dock, dry-docked or in a shipyard. Weather cond tions permitting, the ships hull and a considerable portion of the deck structure may be painted while loading or di char ing cargo. The device may be used ashore i or painting walls and ceilings of oil storage tanks, barns, silos, houses and other buildings.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. l. the paint ap licator support arrangement comprises a pair of I-beams I, having tracks 2. attached to the top flanged portions 3 of the beams. A carriage designated genu'ally by numeral adapted to be moved lengthwise of the tracln 'ay, comprises a rectangular member 5 having legs 5 provided with wheels or rollers 1 adapted to seat in the tracks Movement of the carriage lengthwise of the trackway is effected by means of a drive arrangement comprising a belt 3, connected at one point to the carriage. pulleys 9 and and motor iii. The motor is mounted upon a bracket or other suitable support it attached to the end of one of the beams, shaft 22 of the motor being connected throu h suitable ears i 3 and i to the sp ndle I5 of pulley 9. Means, not shown, are provided for automatically reversing the motor or the driving gears associated therewith. when the carriage reaches the limit of its travel in the vicinity of the opposite ends of the trackway.

In order to accommodate the applicator support arrangement to desired units of len th of the surface to be painted the trackway and supporting beams are constructed and arranged for longitudinal adjustment. The end portion iii of the support, for example, is designed for telescopic engagement with portion ll. Suitableplates IB, formed with apertures i 9, adapted to register with apertures in the web portion of the I-beam, together with fastening devices 2!, are used to securely hold the parts in adjusted position. Belt adjustment is efiected by means of the slidable support 22 of pulley 9. The applicator support, as above described, is adapted to be positioned in the vicinity of deck level of a shin. for example, on the ships rail or other suitable support. by means of clamp devices 23 attached at spaced poin s on the underside of the bottom flange portion of the inner I-beam. Brackets of the tyl e shown in 3, comprising a base 2d adapted for attac .ment to the bottom flan e of the outer I-beain, swivel joint 25, extensible arm 25 and clamp member 2?, designed for enragement with the hull of a ship, provide additional support for tho traclrway, in overhanging relations with a hull portion of a ship.

Attached to the carriage and movable therewith is a housing designated generally by numeral 28, adapted. to contain plurality of unitary a plicator su port members 29. The housing compri es VFlLECzll side pieces 30 and 3 i, having top and bottom channeled members 32 and respectively secured thereto. The housing is rigidly attached to the carriage I- by means of brackets 34 2'5. brace and braces 37. In order to prevent accidental tipping of the carriage, due to the weight of the housing or magazine 28, wheels or rollers attached to brackets are provided. The rollers 38, as shown. are adapted to ride on the overhanging top flange portion of the inner beam. In the vicinity of the lower end of vertical member SI of the housins, channel. member is cut away to form an opening which registers with a chute member 5;}, through which support units 29 are projected. as will be described hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 7. the paint applicator assembly comprises a spray gun designated generally by numeral ii. pivotally mounted as at 52, to member 63, attached to bar 4 adapted for sliding movement in a housing or casing Q5, having a vertical hollow member 56, rigidly supported thereon by means of collars All, and braces .13 and The upper end portion of member 46 is reduced as at 59, and opposite faces of the member are provided with spring hooks 5! or other s itable fastening devices. the purpose of which will be described he 'einafter.

Rotata'oly mounted within member 18 is a cylindrically shaped rod 52 having a gear 53 ke ed to its lower end, adapted for engagement with a rack E l positioned adjacent the casing. One face of the base portion of member is is apertured as at E5, to receive suitable drive means, not shown, whereby rod 573 may be rotated. It will thus be seen that when gea 53 is rotated, housing and bar 5 1 to which the spray gun il is attached, moves len thwise of rack 54.

Under certain. conditionso" operation, it may be found necessary to extend the gun a substantial distance outwardly from the housing and,

ccordingh additional sections 44 may be added. In order to counter-balance the weight of the spray gun, when is extended position, a suitable counter-weight is provided. The weight, as shown, is supported by rollers 57 adapted to seat in a flanged member positioned below the housing 35. suit..ble cord or oth:r flexible member, threaded over prlleys 66, has its free ends attached to opposite faces of the weight. By means of this arr ngement the wei ht is moved to coun er-bale nclng position when the spray gun is extended. outwardly of the housing.

Referring to Figs. 1 and '7, the appl cator assembly supported in operative painting position by inserting housing '5- in the chute member it, associated with the carriage 4, the reduced end it of member it beingadaptedtoseat in the lower end of one of theunitary support members 29 contained within the magazine '28. When member id is thus positioned, th spring hooks seat in apertures :Si formed longitudinally of the.

opposite faces of the unit .29. lhe magazine 28 is designed to contain ten unitary support members, each ut being approximately 4 .feet long. When the carriage is caused. to move lengthwise of the trackway, the support sections are Jadvancecl a predetermined distance of the housing in the direction of the opening to .chute, by means of a feed screw adapted to be actuated by a trip member 63 mounted on the trackway. When feed screw 52 is rotated a pusher bar arrangement Ed, attached to member 55 which is in threaded engagement with the feederscrew, contacts the outside face of the end most support section, and thus advancing all of the sections within .the gaaine 2B, in the directionof operative supportin sition.

Referring to g. 5, it will benoted thatthe end of the feeder screw 55-2 is provided with an extension 56 having a ratchet wheel 65 and star wheel 66 attached thereto. Rotation of the feeder screw is effected by means :of the star wheel which is adapted to contact members 3? of the trip device, as the carriage moves over the trip. during its passage lengthwise of the trackway. Reverse movement of the feed is prevented by means of dog t8 arranged to contact the teeth portions of the ratchet wheel.

In order to project a support section it from the housing tri means are provided at opposite ends of the track Referring toFig. 3, .a trip device designated generally by numeral .69, is adapted to contact a star wheel it attached toa rotatable shaft "H supported ina bearing member EE, the shaft having a toothed wheel '53 keyed thereto. The toothed wheel is positioned so that a portion of its periphery extends into a :slot or other aperture formed in one of the faces of the chute member, the teeth it of the wheel being adapted for engagement with apertures T5 formed in one of the faces of the housing of a support section. It will thus be seen that when the star wheel lil contacts the trip device, wheel .13 is'rotated and th support section is advanced from the housing.

Means are provided to check the downward drop of the support section, after it has been advanced, as above described, comprising a dog 16 pivotally mounted upon a bracket ll attached to the chute ill"- oer. Mounted upon an arm 18 is a pivotally supported wheel '79, arranged to contact extension associated with the trackway. The end portion of the pivotally mounted member '53 is adapted to seat in one of a plurality of recesses 82 formed longitudinally of the front face of the housing of the support section. As the carriage reaches the end of the trackway, roller contacts member causing the end .Bi of member iii to be withdrawn from the aperture in the housing, thus freeing the support section for downward movement when wheel 13 is rotated by the trip device 69.

In the operation of the device, so far described, tor iii is operated, carriage it through n-of belt 3 is moved back and forth over the tracl When the carriage moves from left to right it passes over the trip device at the left end of the trackway without actuating the feed mechanism for the applicator support, however, when the carriage returns to the left it contacts the tripdevice at the right end ofathetrack- 7" Way causing the vertical extension which .is connectedto the applicator support, to extend a distance of four inches from the magazine, thus enabling the spray gun to reach a new surface. After the carriage reaches the limit of its travel to the left of the trackway and starts back, contact is made with the trip at the left end of the trackway and the extension is again extended a distance of four inches.

' Afterthe carriage t has moved from right to left of the track six times and from left to right six times, the fourfoot section has been dropped a total of four feet in twelve four-inch intervals. If the length required for the applicator support is greater than four feet, another section 29 is added so that a more distant surface .can be reached by the applicator. When the twelfth four-inch drive has been substantially completed, the next extension has been moved within the magazine 28 into registering position with the chute so that it automatically becomes rigidly and securely fastened to the top length of the section which has been projected from the magazine. The second vertical extension is thus brought into position ready for locking by the feed screw 62 and associated feeder bar M, which moves a constant distance each time the first extension drops four inches.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the end of the shaft 52 within the tubing 28 is formed with a hexagonal shaped end 33. The purpose of this arrangement is to assure proper contact between adjacent rods when the individual sup= port sections are moved into operative supporting position. By means of a key 813 therods 52 are connected whereby rotation of any one of the rodsby applying a wrench or'other tool to shoul der position causes rotation of gear 53, thus moving the spray gun support outt-Jardly from i the housing G5, to conform with the contour of the surface of a ship, for xample, the hull portion.

Referring to FigI- l, there is shown a detailed view of the arrangement used to raise the applicator assembly after the painting operation has been completed, that is to say, after the sections have been projected from the magazine and the appli ator assembly is in its lower most position. The face 86 of each ofthe unitary support sections (Fig. 1), is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 8'! adapted to receive the teeth 83 of a star wheel 89. The star wheel is mounted upon a suitable shaft 96 adapted to be rotated throuph the medium of gears 9!, 92 and the latter gear being mounted upon a shaft 84 associated with a source of power, not shown. When it is desired to raise the applicator support sections, power is applied to shaft 9 5 and through the medium of star wheel tilywhich engages with the apertures-8?, the extensions are moved upwardly to a position at which they may be manually disconnected one from the other and stored in the magazine 28.

In the modification (Fig. 2), adapted for use ashore, in connection with the application of paint to silos, buildings and the like, the construction and arrangement of the trackway is substantially the same as shown in Fig. 1, however, in lieu of the magazine andassociated support sections, for extending the applicator vertically of the surface to be painted, the trackway support is designed for vertical movement.

Referring to Fig. 2, the trackway is mounted on wheeled supports 95 and adapted to be maintained .indesired spaced relation by means of collapsible carriage devices, designated generally by numeral 57. The carriage 88 is supported upon suitable rollers 99 adapted to ride on the lower flange portions of the Lbeams.

Mounted within the carriage is a socket member I235, adapted to receive the end (Fig. '7) of the vertical support 46 of the applicator assembly. In connection with the positioning of the applicator, as above described, it will be understood that the applicator is inverted from the position shown in Fig. '7, and when thus assembled the spray gun can be reversed so as to be supported above member 43, by means of connection G2.

Attached to the bottom iSI of the carriage 93 by means of a bracket 582, is a rotatable shaft I 03 having a gear I64 keyed thereto, the upper end of the shaft terminating in a hexagonal shaped portion similar to the end arrangement shown in Fig. 6. The gear I'M. is adapted to mesh with gear I85 attached to a shaft I06, rotatably supported in a bracket H37, the end of said shaft having one part of a chuck device IE8, attached thereto. It will thus be seen that when shaft iii-3 is rotated, gear 53 on the applicator support assembly (Fig. '7) is rotated thereby moving the spray gun outwardly of its support.

Referring to Fig. 10, the trackway support 95 is shown in partially elevated position. It will be noted that each of the supports, 95 and 96, comprises a plurality of telescopic rectangular shaped members I69 and cylindrical shaped members H6, positioned therein. The bottom rectangular shaped member is attached to a base IIi, mounted upon wheels IE2. The opposite edges of each of the rectangular shaped sections at the top and bottom thereof, are provided with rollers iI-S: (Fig. 11) whereby, when th sections are moved with respect to one another with minimum friction. The cylindrical telescopic sections iIEl (Fig. 9) are formed with a slot H4 and pin I55 ararngement to limit the upward movement of each of the sections. Vertical movement of supports 95 and 96 is effected by means of cables Ilfi and III (Fig. 2) threadable over suitable pulleys IE8 and H9. One end of each of the cables is attached to a drum I29, the cables being adapted to be wound thereon, by fnzans of a motor 52L The free ends of the cables are attached to the top rectangular member of the respective supports 95 and 96, whereby when the drum is rotated the sections are moved upwardly to desired height, that is to say, the height at which the applicator assembly is in operative painting position.

Again referring to Fig. 10, means are provided for rotating the inner cylindrical sections comprising a stub shaft I2I having a notched end I22 adapted to seat in a recess formed in the lowermost cylindrical section. The shaft is supported in a bracket I23 and is provided with a gear I2 adapted to mesh with gear 525, mounted upon a shaft I25 which terminates in a handle member I21. The top cyl'ndrical section is also provided with a stub shaft I28, gear I28 adapted to mesh with gear I39 mounted upon a shaft ISI. The shaft I3! is jcu-rnalled in brackets I32 and I 32', the free end of said shaft having a chuck portion 533 adapted to seat in member 568 (Fig. 2) at the end of the shaft I55, carried by the carriage 93.

In the operation of the modified form of apparatus, so far described, assuming the paint applicator assembly has been mounted in operative position on the carriage 98, the supports 95 and 96 are elevated to required height by means of motor I2I. After the supports have been rolled to proper position with respect to the surface to be painted, the carriage, together with the applicator assembly is caused to move lengthwise of the trackway by means of belt 8, which i actuated by motor I 0. It will be understood that paint is supplied to the spray gun M, from a suitable source, not shown, simultaneously with the movement of th carriage. When the carriage reaches the limit of its travel to the left of the trackway, stop member I35 attached to bracket I35 of the carriage contacts a switch device I36, connected by leads I31 to the motor IZI, whereby the mctor is reversed, to permit the cables to unwind, and lower the supports and 96, substantially four inches. When the carriage reaches the limit of its travel to the right of the trackway, stop member I38 contacts a switch device, not shown, similar to switch I36, whereby the supports are again lowered a distance of approximately four inches.

If during initial positioning of the apparatus, or at some stage of the painting operation, it is desired to move the spray gun outwardly of its support in the direction of the surface to be painted, the carriage is moved to the left of the trackway to a position such that member I08 fits over member I33 and in driving engagement therewith. Handle E2? is then rotated, and through the medium of stub shaft I2 I, cylindrical telescopic sections II 0, shafts I28, I 03 and associated gears, the applicator support is caused to move outwardly of its support.

As shown in Fig. 12, the lowermost cylindrical section H8 is rctatably supported on members I39 attached to the rectangular shaped bottom section I09 and to a stationary ring I 40. A plurality of roller bearings I42 are provided between the bearing surfaces of the ring and flange portion formed on the lowermost cylindrical section. Similar means are provided to connect the uppermost cylindrical section lie to the uppermost rectangular shaped section I09.

The device of the present invention is compact, and it can be readily assembled or disassembled; it can be conveniently stored or shipped and when started it operates automatically to apply paint to desired surfaces, with minimum expense.

It is to be understocd that the basic concept of supporting a paint applicator, as described herein, comprehends the use of other devices in lieu of a spray gun, for example, a paint chipping device, a rotatable brush for removing foreign material preparatory to painting a surface, a

polishing head or the like.

While I have shown and described the preferred embod ment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described for painting walls of buildings comprising an elongate, horizontally supportcd trackway adapted to be positioned in spaced, generally parallel relationship with respect to a wall of the building, a plurality of telescopic members for supporting said trackway, a Wheeled carriage movably mounted on said trackway, a stop member and a paint spray means supported on said carriage,

power means to move the carriage back and forth along the trackway, means to automatically reverse said power means when the carriage reaches the end or" its travel, a motor, an elevating mechanism drivingly connected to said motor, means connecting said elevating mechanism to said telescopic members, and control means for automatically operating said motor, said control means including a switch mounted on said trackway and in the path of said stop member, said switch being closed by said stop member on said carriage and maintained in closed position only while the carriage is at the end of its travel, whereby said trackway is moved a predetermined small distance vertically while said switch is closed.

2. A device of the character described for painting walls of buildings comprising an elongate, horizontally supported trackway adapted to be positioned in spaced, generally parallel ,relationship with respect to a wall of the building, a plurality of telescopic members for supporting said trackway, a wheeled carriage movably mounted on said trackway, a stop member and a paint application assembly supported on said carriage, said assembly comprising a spray means and an extensible support means for said spray means, power means to move the carriage back and forth along the trackway, means to automatically reverse said power means when the carriage reaches the end of its travel, a motor, an elevating mechanism drivingly connected to said motor, means connecting said elevating mechanism to said telescopic members, control means for automatically operating said motor,

said control means including a switch mounted on said trackway and in the path of said stop member, said switch being closed by said stop member on said carriage and maintained in closed position only while the carriage is at the end of its travel, whereby said trackway is moved a predetermined small distance vertically while said switch is closed, and means including telescopic means for actuating said extensible support means.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said elevating mechanism comprises a drum, and said connecting means comprises pulleys on said telescopic members and a cable trained over said pulleys and around said drum.

4. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said elevating mechanism comprises a drum, and said connecting means comprises pulleys on said telescopic members and a cable trained over said pulleys and around said drum.

STEPHEN P. CHAPPEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 998,579 Herz July'18, 1911 1,440,147 Heinrich Dec. 26, 1922 1,956,220 Johnson Apr. 24, 1934 2,030,840 Allen Feb. 18, 1936 2,081,742 Glaze May 25, 1937 2,212,576 Teodonno Aug. 27, 1940 2,434,125 Schweitzer Jan. 6, 1948 

